Device and method for anchoring live decoys



Feb. 8, 1927.

W. A. GIBBS DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ANCHORING LIVE DECOYS Filed May 1, 1923 Fatentecl F eb. 8}, 1927. v

' wi n'rnnA.ersias, or nonrxfio airinnnaw r Application filed May 31,

i "The obj ect; of this inventiontis toliprovide;

a device for anchoring. 1 livev 1 decoyducks wliichi. reduces to a jminimuni interference.

;with the free movementsof. the decoy, and

which practically precludes thepossibility of L the decoy becoming entangled mthefiexrble connector forming a part of the anchoring m material advantages over-methodspreviously. "employed-1 M A. furthcr object is to provide-a novel unethod of anchoiungthe decoy, possessing in: theattached drawings: 1 5

Figure 1, is-aview illustrating a live'decoy anchored by means of a device made in ac .II'lCillOIlill :movement g-between the cordr'and cordance with 1 my f invention Fig. 2, is an enlarged view illustrating details of the device and the method of attaching the device to the foot of the decoy, and

Fig. 3, is a further enlarged view illustrating further details of the device.

Prior to my invention, it has been the custom to anchor live decoys by attaching them to a suitably fixed anchor element by means of a flexible cord or connector attached to the neck of the decoy or around the leg. Both of these methods are open to objection b e sy for the duck to become entangled with the cord, and, particularly when the device is around the neck, to behave insuohmanner in its efiorts to break loose as to alarm the wild ducks that might otherwise be inclined to settle at that point.

I have discovered means whereby these objectionable features may be entirely eliminated, and whereby not only is the duck permitted a maximum freedom from restraint by the anchoring elements but also is practically'prevented from becoming entangled.

With reference to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the device comprises essentially an element which is attaohed to the foot of the duck in such manner as to interfere in no way with the normal movements of the foot, and a suitable connector attached to this element and to the stake or weight which may constitute the anchor.

As clearly illustrated, the element which is attached to the foot of the duck consists in the present instance of a cord 1 which is passed through the the central bone 2 of the foot, and is tied reason of the fact that it is extremely web on either side of 1923. serial not 542,5911;

-.at theffront.inyisuchlmanner as to encircle the bone, the web 3 being piercechaszclearly ndicated at; ,4: forapassage. of.this J'cord.

less after the natureof asafetyapil a. .In' orderto preventthe cord l fromalchafing 1011' the connecting .element o, I..tie.onto. the

cord 1a metal or other;wearsresistingrmg 7, the ring. beingso.attachedtothe corcl as to prevent any .substantialxrdegree of the ring.

Instead of securing the flexible connecting cord 9'which is attached to the anchor element directly to the swivel 5, I prefer to employ intermediate the swivel and the in :the present instance,=-I:connect:avith this .cord;1. at theunder side of. the footia swivel '5, this:.-swivel inthe present. instance "being attached to thecord 1 through tll6.;;i116CliUIn of ,a, suitable releasable connecting; element 6, consistingof a device fashioned more or end of the cord a rigid element 8, this element beingin the present instance in the form of a stiff wire link having releasable hooks at eachend to render it easily detachable, and being of a length adapted for the particular purpose for which it is intended as hereinafter described.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, this link 8 has se cured to its outer end the flexible cord 9 extending to the anchor element which, in H the present instance, is illustrated as consisting of a weight 10.

The device has been found peculiarly effective in operation. Where the water is of substantial depth, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the link Sand the elements 5 and 6 are of such weight as to assume a substantially vertical position of suspension from" the foot of the duck, thereby carrying the flexible connector 9 downwardly entirely clear of the duck and effectively preventing the leg of the duck or other part from becoming entangled in the connector. y

In addition to this, if the water becomes shallow by reason of a falling tide so that" the attaching cord lies in a substantially horizontal position, the rigid link 8 still prevents the entanglement of the decoy, in the cord. Further, by attaching the device as illustrated to the foot of the duck, the decoy-is in no way embarrassed in its movements, and is able to move around in the water in anentirely natural manner.

It will be understood that the device is capable of some modification Without departure from the essential features of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device for staking out or hitching a live animal comprising a suitable loop or ring for attachment to the leg of the animal, a flexible member for connection to a stake or weight, and a non-flexible member, of suflicient length to span the spread of the animals legs attached between the loop and flexible member. a

2. A device for staking out or hitching a live'animal comprising a suitable loop or ring for attachment to the leg of the animal, I

a flexible member for connection to a stake or weight, a swivel, and a non-flexible member, of suflicient length to span the spread of the animals legs attached between the loop and flexible member.

3. A device for staking out or hitching a.

live animal comprising a suitable ring or loop for attachment to the leg of the animal and permanently attached thereto.

4. A device for staking out or hitching a live animal comprising a suitable loop or ring for attachment to the leg of the animal, a flexible member for connection to a stake or weight, and a non-buoyant member suit- 'ably attached to said flexible member to prering for attachment to the leg of the animal,

a flexible member for connection to a stake or weight, means for attaching and detaching the animal, and a non-flexible member, of suflicient'length to span the spread of the animals legsattached between the loop and flexible member.

6. A device for staking out or hitching a live animal comprising a suitable loop or ring for attachment to the leg of the animal, a flexible member for connection to a stake or weight, a swivel, meansfor attaching and detaching the animal, and a nonflexiblle member, of sufficient length to span the spread of the animals legs attached between the loop and flexible member.

WALTER A. GIBBS. 

